Even with the cost of medical care rising, some patients in the Kansas City area are paying extra money to become VIP patients at their physician's office.

Some of the doctors at Overland Park Family Health Partners offer a concierge service that gives special privileges to patients who pay extra.

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Robynn Andracsek signed up to be a concierge patient for her long-time physician Dr. Joel Feder last month. For $1,650 per year, she gets a direct phone line to Feder 24 hours a day, longer office visits and more extensive physical examinations for an extra fee.

"I always feel a little hesitant to call them if it's not life-threatening or it's not a regularly scheduled appointment," Andracsek said. "It kind of gave me the freedom to not feel guilty to call him and I'm not taking advantage of what a great doctor he is."

Feder said it's a new concept in medicine and he's new to using it. He told KMBC 9's Kelly Eckerman that he did have some concerns that it would send a message that higher-paying patients would get better care.

"I was somewhat frightened that my traditional patients would feel pressured to join such a plan and that I was going to exclusively do that," he said.

Feder said he held meetings with his patients and explained that the offer was an option for people who wanted something extra.

Dr. Sheri Berl is another partner in the practice who offers the concierge services. She said some patients who opted not to join did question if their care would suffer. Berl said the optional program would not affect traditional patients.

"What concierge medicine does, it gives that patient who wants extra time and more personal services that access to the physician, the availability," Berl said.

She said she carries a cellphone for her concierge patients.

"During the day, it sits on my nurse's desk and she answers it," Berl said. "At night and on weekends, I answer it."

The idea of paying more to get more from a physician is a new concept to many. Unlike what people may see on TV shows, concierge doctors don't make house calls. Berl and Feder said the membership fee simply buys more and quicker access to your doctor.

Andracsek said she thinks it's a smart way to spend flexible income, if you have it.

"I do expect a level of quality and I don't mind paying for it," she said.

Not all of the partners in Berl and Feder's practice offer the concierge service. The two doctors said they are limiting the number of memberships so they can continue their traditional practices.

Some physicians in other areas are making moves to do only concierge practices. The American Medical Association said concierge medicine involves such a small percentage of practices that it's difficult to measure how it might affect the future of health care.